Internet based custody and control form for laboratory testing

Abstract

An internet-based system and method for producing and managing a legally binding Custody and Control Form for laboratory testing includes handling, controlling and delivering the donor information and test results on an internet web page. The electronic COC form prevents possible errors and delays and operates efficiently to collect and distribute test information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for producing a form for laboratory testing involving a donor, a laboratory, and a collection site administrator, the method comprising the following steps: 
 providing an internet web page, CPU's. having Internet access, a printer, electronic signature pads, and a barcode scanner,    wherein the collection site administrator has at least a CPU having Internet access, a printer, and an electronic signature pad; the laboratory has at least a CPU having Internet access, an electronic signature pad, and a barcode scanner;    collecting a specimen from the donor at a collection site administrator;    inputting information about the specimen into a laboratory testing form that is printed at the collection site administrator;    affixing a barcode to the specimen, the barcode having been printed at the collection site administrator;    having the donor execute his or her signature on the electronic signature pad at the collection site administrator attesting to the accuracy of information in the laboratory testing form and to the validity of the specimen;    delivering the specimen to the laboratory;    confirming the identity and validity of the specimen at the laboratory by using the barcode scanner;    performing a test on the specimen at the laboratory;    inputting test results into the CPU at the laboratory and confirming validity of those results by executing the electronic signature pad at the laboratory; and    posting the test results on the Internet web page.    
     
     
         2 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the barcode affixed to the specimen represents a unique indentifier for a specific laboratory.  
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the internet web page comprises security features that limit access to the web page.  
     
     
         4 . A method for producing and storing a laboratory testing form, the method involving a donor, a laboratory, a collection site administrator, and a requester, the method comprising the following steps: 
 providing an internet web page, a plurality of CPU's. having internet access, a printer, electronic signature pads, and a barcode scanner,    wherein the requestor has at least a CPU having internet access;    the collection site administrator has at least a CPU having internet access, a printer, and an electronic signature pad; the laboratory has at least a CPU having Internet access, an electronic signature pad, and a barcode scanner;    creating the laboratory testing form on the CPU at the requestor by inputting information regarding the donor;    collecting a specimen from the donor at a collection site administrator;    inputting information about the specimen into the laboratory testing form at the collection site administrator;    affixing a barcode to the specimen, the barcode having been printed either by the requester or the collection site administrator;    having the donor execute his or her signature on the electronic signature pad at the collection site administrator attesting to the accuracy of information in the laboratory testing form and to the validity of the specimen;    delivering the specimen to the laboratory;    confirming the identity and validity of the specimen at the laboratory by using the barcode scanner;    performing a test on the specimen at the laboratory;    inputting test results into the CPU at the laboratory and confirming validity of those results by executing the electronic signature pad at the laboratory; and    posting the test results on the Internet web page.